Cenotaph
byCar Bomb
Required String Notes:G#D#G#C#FA#
Tune to Custom Tuning (G#D#G#C#FA#)Tune to Custom Tuning (G#D#G#C#FA#)
Play each string and match the pitch using your microphone. Targets are set to this song’s exact tuning (G#D#G#C#FA#).
Custom Tuning (G#D#G#C#FA#)
±0
G#
Target: 51.9 Hz
-50WAITING+50
Waiting for sound
G#52
D#78
G#104
C#139
F175
A#233
How to Tune from Standard to Custom Tuning (G#D#G#C#FA#)
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings to play “Cenotaph”:
| String | Standard | Target | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| String 6 | E2 | G#1 | Tune down 8 semitones |
| String 5 | A2 | D#2 | Tune down 6 semitones |
| String 4 | D3 | G#2 | Tune down 6 semitones |
| String 3 | G3 | C#3 | Tune down 6 semitones |
| String 2 | B3 | F3 | Tune down 6 semitones |
| String 1 | E4 | A#3 | Tune down 6 semitones |
Recommended string gauge: .013–.072. The bass strings drop very far below standard; a baritone-weight set stops them from flopping and buzzing.Ernie Ball Baritone Slinky (.013–.072) · affiliate link
Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown
"Cenotaph" by Car Bomb is played in Custom Tuning (G#D#G#C#FA#) (G#D#G#C#FA#). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 6 of 6 strings: string 6 down to G#, string 5 down to D#, string 4 down to G#, string 3 down to C#, string 2 down to F, string 1 down to A#. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 8 semitones down. Car Bomb uses this same tuning on 15 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.
Looking for tabs or chords?Search Ultimate Guitar
Tunings Close to Custom Tuning (G#D#G#C#FA#)
Already tuned to G#D#G#C#FA#? These tunings are just one small change away.
Drop Bb / Drop A#24 songs
Bb - F - Bb - Eb - G - CSame chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.Bb Standard Tuning24 songs
Bb - Eb - Ab - Db - F - BbOnly string 6 differs: A# instead of G#.Drop A Tuning8 songs
A - E - A - D - F# - BSame chord shapes, every string a half step higher.Custom Tuning (G#D#G#C#F#A#)4 songs
G#D#G#C#F#A#Only string 2 differs: F# instead of F.Car Bomb’s Guitar Tunings
Car Bomb plays 16 of 35 songs in our catalog in Custom Tuning (G#D#G#C#FA#). Most-used tunings:
- Custom Tuning (G#D#G#C#FA#)G#D#G#C#FA#16 songs
Gear for Custom Tuning (G#D#G#C#FA#)
Strings and tools that make playing "Cenotaph" in Custom Tuning (G#D#G#C#FA#) easier.
Ernie Ball Baritone Slinky (.013–.072)
Recommended gauge .013–.072. The bass strings drop very far below standard; a baritone-weight set stops them from flopping and buzzing.
D'Addario Universal Micro Headstock Tuner
A headstock tuner makes switching in and out of this tuning quick, even on stage or without a mic.
D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)
Retuning 6 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.
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“Cenotaph” Tuning FAQ
What tuning is "Cenotaph" by Car Bomb in?
"Cenotaph" is played in Custom Tuning (G#D#G#C#FA#): G#D#G#C#FA#, from the lowest to the highest string.
How do I tune my guitar to play "Cenotaph"?
Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 8 semitones (E2 → G#1). String 5: tune down 6 semitones (A2 → D#2). String 4: tune down 6 semitones (D3 → G#2). String 3: tune down 6 semitones (G3 → C#3). String 2: tune down 6 semitones (B3 → F3). String 1: tune down 6 semitones (E4 → A#3).
What string gauge should I use for Custom Tuning (G#D#G#C#FA#)?
Use a .013–.072 set. The bass strings drop very far below standard; a baritone-weight set stops them from flopping and buzzing.
Which other Car Bomb songs use this tuning?
"Auto-named", "Black Blood", "Constant Sleep", "Crud", "From The Dust Of This Planet", "Gratitude" and 9 more — all in G#D#G#C#FA#, so you can play them without retuning.
More Songs by Car Bomb
Explore other guitar tunings recorded by Car Bomb:
Other Songs in Custom Tuning (G#D#G#C#FA#)
Once tuned to G#D#G#C#FA#, try playing these tracks next: